Tactile graphicacy is the ability to read, interpret and produce tactile graphics or raised line drawings. It requires explicit attention and teaching to ensure that touch readers can reach their full potential.

Documenting Tactile Graphicacy (2019) is a discussion paper written by ANZAGG members Louise Curtin, Leona Holloway and Debra Lewis. It presents recommended approaches (and supporting research) tactile graphicacy skills development and production considerations. It is available in the following formats:

• Documenting Tactile Graphicacy – print
• Documenting Tactile Graphicacy – large print (N24)
• Documenting Tactile Graphicacy – braille (BRF)

Teaching Tactile Graphicacy

• Hungry Fingers education tools by Dr Boguslaw Marek
• Tactile book to demonstrate the concept of round (2018) by Royal Dutch Visio – Video demonstrating use of real life experiences and tactile book to teach the concept of “round”.

Creating tactile books for young children

• Tactile books in the Feelix Library by Louise Curtin, Vision Australia – Principles for tactile picture book construction in the Feelix Library (Word document for download)
• Making Tactile Books for the Clear Vision Library – guidelines for the creation of sewn books for young tactile readers
• Guide to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children’s Books (2008) by Suzette Wright, American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
• Tactile illustrated books (2018) by Royal Dutch Visio – Video interview with Anneke Blok demonstrating a quality tactile picture books and discussing the sort of skills that can be developed
• Multi-sensory story telling (2018) by Royal Dutch Visio – Video demonstrating story boxes
• Storybox Ideas by Norma Drissel, Paths to Literacy
• The Typhlo and Tactus guide to children’s books with tactile illustrations (2008) by Phillipe Claudet and Patricia Richard (eds.)

Drawing

The ability to draw, creating your own symbolic meanings through pictures, is an essential component of tactile literacy and a fun way to reinforce learning. Some ways that children can create their own tactile drawings include:

Pine cone drawn with Wikki Stix

• tracing
• colouring within raised lines
• Wikki Stix
• tactile drawing boards for use with paper or mylar film, e.g. Sensational BlackBoard
• Perkins brailler pictures. e.g. See So What About Drawing? Instructions for Drawing Using a Braille Writer
• collage materials
• magnetic shapes
• Lego
• a cork board with pins and rubber bands
• XY coordinate peg boards for graphing
• magnetic stylus drawing boards